Hi, I’m
Carla Uranga
San Diego,CA
Summary
Analytical and results-orientated scientist, teacher, and R&D project developer with comprehensive experience in the field of metabolomics biochemistry and NGS techniques, with publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth. Expertise in the purification of biomolecules for vaccine development, small molecule purification and structural elucidation using LCMS, NMR and cryo-electron microscopy. Skilled in R-based and Python-based statistical data analysis. Adept at delivering process improvements that increase efficiencies and performance. Organized and articulate with excellent troubleshooting abilities. Pursuing a full-time role that presents professional challenges and leverages interpersonal skills, effective time management, and problem-solving expertise.
Overview
25
years of professional experience
Work History
UCSD Extension
UCSD Extension Online Biochemistry Instructor
09.2019 - Current
Job overview
- Teaching, grading, student services, course development and optimization.
J. Craig Venter Institute
Postdoctoral Researcher/Visiting Scientist
11.2018 - Current
Job overview
- Metabolomics, proteomics, and 16s sequencing of biological samples, GCMS, HPLC, LCMS/MS, NMR/
- Overcame technical challenges by troubleshooting equipment issues or refining experimental procedures as necessary.
- Contributed to high-impact publications by collaborating with fellow researchers and providing critical input.
- Conducted thorough literature reviews to inform experimental design and maintain awareness of current trends in the field.
- Applied advanced statistical techniques to analyze complex datasets, revealing novel insights into the subject matter.
- R and Python data analytics for differential expression analysis
- Mentored junior researchers, enhancing their skills and supporting their career development.
BlueNalu
Metabolomics Scientist II
01.2022 - 01.2023
Job overview
- R and Python-based statistical analysis of lipidomics data for media development, with the goal of developing animal component-free media for bluefin tuna suspension cell cultivation
- Specific lab-based focus on assay development and implementation for protein and amino acids in media formulation
- Implementation of correct assay for protein and amino acid quantification resulted in significant progress in cell growth and the development of animal component-free media for bluefin tuna cultivation.
BioAtla
Scientist
01.2021 - 01.2022
Job overview
- High throughput purification of biotherapeutic antibodies for in vitro and in vivo testing
- Method development with specific contribution in reducing antibody aggregation at the Protein A step.
PaxVax
Scientist
03.2017 - 10.2018
Job overview
- Provided scientific and technical expertise for multiple projects involving development of virus (virus-like particle) purification process with AKTA/Unicorn FPLC systems; from transfection, TFF, to resin screening, to final polishing
- Developed and implemented antibody-based assays for characterization of protein targets
- Reviewed and tested emerging and existing upstream bioreactor technology for 3D mammalian cell culturing for continuous antibody production (C3 Cell Culture Company)
- Designed and validated analytical methods
- Effectively performed scale-up and optimization of supercoiled plasmid purification for transient transfection for VLP production in bacterial hosts
- Process development of scalable Zika VLP purification method for manufacturing
- Antibody purification
- Gyros Protein Technologies evaluation and technology transfer for pre-clinical immunoassay development
- CRISPR guide RNA design for cell line improvement/development using lipofectamine based transfection to inactivate the galectin-3 protein in order to improve VLP production in mammalian cells
- Cell culture: C3 Hollowfiber perfusion bioreactor evaluation for continuous VLP production with HEK293 cells
- Cryogenic electron microscopy of Chikungunya vaccine candidate using EMAN2 software
- DataCamp Data Scientist in R Career Track
- Clinical Testing Support in GCLP environment: assay specialist/analyst.
SAFC Pharma (Sigma-Aldrich)
Process Development Associate
01.2008 - 01.2009
Job overview
- Delivered expert scientific and technical support in discovery and pre-clinical development of innovative cancer treatment and therapies
- Supported Process Development Scientists in both upstream and downstream processes
- Identified and recommended process improvements and cost saving initiatives
- Performed basic molecular biology assays including, but not limited to DNA extraction and processing, cloning, quantification, transfection and analysis under direct supervision
- Monitored and ordered supplies to ensure availability at all times
- Prepared media and buffer formulations
- Maintained cleanliness of lab benches and other workspaces as per organizational policies and standards of operation
- Contributed to maintenance of Process Development Records including monitoring and recording process measurements, writing and editing of SOPs, protocols and summary reports
- Ensured complete adherence to all safety guidelines
- Successfully developed process for purification of Sindbis virus as an anti-cancer treatment for use in pre-clinical toxicological studies
- Contributed to on-going Adenovirus purification projects requiring maintenance and upkeep of mammalian cancer cell lines (HEK293 and CHO cells) for internal and external projects
- Efficiently handled multiple projects including gene cloning and mammalian cell transfections for recombinant protein expression, as well as chromatography, ultrafiltration, HPLC, PCR, FPLC (AKTA Explorer system).
Dow Chemical
Research Associate
01.2007 - 01.2008
Job overview
- Supported VLP purification efforts via chromatography method development using AKTA FPLC systems
- Successfully supported purification and in vitro re-assembly of CCMV VLP proteins.
Arena Pharmaceuticals
Research Associate
01.2003 - 01.2005
Job overview
- Held responsibility for multiple projects involving pre-clinical studies for a therapeutic drug targeting obesity including development of pharmacokinetic assays used for cytochrome p450 induction and inhibition studies for LCMS, LCMS data analysis, and HPLC analysis and method development
- Performed animal surgical procedures such as rat liver perfusions for hepatocyte isolation
- Acquired knowledge and experience in intra-peritoneal, per os, and intramuscular dosing of rats
- Applied knowledge and expertise of Western Blotting and antibody screening, SDS-Page, molecular biology techniques such as cloning and transfection
- Leveraged skills in cell culture, i.e
- Maintenance of Caco-2 colon cancer cell line, as well as a HEK293 kidney cell line for transfection experiments.
Syngenta Agricultural Discovery Institute (Novartis/GNF Subsidiary)
Research Associate
01.2000 - 01.2003
Job overview
- Contributed to organizational mission of developing crops resistant to plant diseases and with greater nutritional value for third world countries
- Supported diverse projects for agricultural and human genetic engineering via cloning and other molecular biology techniques for recombinant protein expression.
Education
Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher EducationBaja California, México
Doctorate of Science from Life Science (Biochemistry)
University Overview
UCMEXUS scholar. Research and Doctoral Dissertation: Characterization of the metabolome of Lasiodiplodia theobromae in complex natural substrates and defined media using techniques including TLC, HPLC, NMR, GC-MS, LCMS, and proteomics mass spectrometry data analysis. Development of fermentation techniques and media for a variety of fungal strains. Experience teaching English for scientific speaking, writing, and presenting to fellow graduate students at both Master’s Degree and Doctorate level.
Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC)Ensenada, Mexico
Master of Science from Marine Biotechnology
University Overview
Thesis: Developing protein analysis techniques for the study of the Na+/K+ ATPase in Litopeneaus vannamei (white shrimp) RNA extraction and qPCR analysis.
University of California, San DiegoSan Diego, CA
Bachelor of Science from Biochemistry and Cell Biology
University Overview
MBRS Fellow. Summer Bridge Program TA.
Skills
- Software Implementation
- Operational Excellence
- Data-driven decision-making
- Organizational Change
- Workflow Analysis
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Data Analysis
- Written Communication
- Process Improvement
- Analytical Skills
Publications
- Rational design of artificial zinc-finger proteins using a nondegenerate recognition code table, Sera, T., & Uranga, C., Biochemistry, 41, 22, 7074-7081
- How fungi chew the fat: Fatty acid ester production in pathogenic filamentous fungi, Uranga, C., Beld, J., & Burkart, M., Atlas of Science, April 19, 2016
- High resolution mass spectrometry, NMR spectra, GC-MS of ethyl linoleate, and other fatty acid esters from L. theobromae and their effects on tobacco germination, Uranga, C., Beld, J., Mrse, A., Córdova-Guerrero, I., Burkart, M., & Hernández-Martínez, R., Data in Brief, 19, 2, 2016
- Fatty acid esters produced by Lasiodiplodia theobromae function as growth regulators in tobacco seedlings, Uranga, C.C., Beld, J., Mrse, A., Cordova-Guerrero, I., Burkart, M.D., & Hernandez-Martinez, R., Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2016, 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.02.104
- Novel proteins from proteomic analysis of the trunk disease fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Botryosphaeriaceae), Uranga, C.C., Ghassemian, M., Hernández-Martínez, R., Biochimie Open, 2017, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopen.2017.03.001
- Data from proteome analysis of Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Botryosphaeriaceae), Uranga, C.C., Ghassemian, M., Hernández-Martínez, R., Data in Brief, 4, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2017.04.058
- Cryo-EM structure of Chikungunya virus in complex with the Mxra8 receptor, Basore, K, Kim, A., Nelson, C., Zhang, R., Smith, B., Uranga, C., Vang, L., Cheng, M., Gross, M., Smith, J., Diamond, M., and Fremont, D., Cell, 177, 1725-1737, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2019.04.006
- Commensal Oral Rothia mucilaginosa Produces Enterobactin, a Metal-Chelating Siderophore, Carla C. Uranga, Pablo Arroyo Jr., Brendan M. Duggan, William H. Gerwick, Anna Edlund, mSystems, 5, 2, e00161-20, 2020, 10.1128/mSystems.00161-20
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Metabolomics Scientist II
BlueNalu
01.2022 - 01.2023
Scientist
BioAtla
01.2021 - 01.2022
UCSD Extension Online Biochemistry Instructor
UCSD Extension
09.2019 - Current
Postdoctoral Researcher/Visiting Scientist
J. Craig Venter Institute
11.2018 - Current
Scientist
PaxVax
03.2017 - 10.2018
Process Development Associate
SAFC Pharma (Sigma-Aldrich)
01.2008 - 01.2009
Research Associate
Dow Chemical
01.2007 - 01.2008
Research Associate
Arena Pharmaceuticals
01.2003 - 01.2005
Research Associate
Syngenta Agricultural Discovery Institute (Novartis/GNF Subsidiary)
01.2000 - 01.2003
Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education
Doctorate of Science from Life Science (Biochemistry)
Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC)
Master of Science from Marine Biotechnology
University of California, San Diego
Bachelor of Science from Biochemistry and Cell Biology
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